Kaleb Cowart

Our offseason prospect series is through — all 30 minor league previews with fantasy-specific top 10’s are in the books. For years we’ve written this same series, finished it, and then just sort of rolled into the regular season stuff without any fanfare. This year, though, we’re wrapping up the minor league previews, and adding a nice little bow on top. This post will serve as the bow. The purpose is twofold: (1) For the first time we have links to each of our MiLB previews all in one place, and (2) we’ve ranked each farm system from a fantasy perspective, giving you a simple guideline as to which orgs are stacked with fantasy impact, and which orgs are virtually void of it. Let’s cut to it:

The Run DownThe postseason is barely underway, but let’s get on with some 2014 baseball chatter because I just can’t wait. As always, we’ll be easing you into these MiLB previews, starting with the poorest systems, and working our way toward the best as Opening Day approaches next spring. So here we are at the bottom; The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Hoo boy, this is a thin, low-impact group. Making matters worse, the Halos forfeited their first round picks in each of the past two seasons when they signed free agents Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols. LA fans probably don’t want to hear this right now, but the Cardinals used their 2012 first round pick to draft Michal Wacha. Ouch. Take solace in the fact that you guys still produced Mike Trout, whose career WAR at age 22 is 21.1. That’s insane homegrown output over the past two seasons, so I can’t feel too bad for you jerks just yet.

The Run Down
Of the Angels’ top four prospects a year ago, zero remain. Mike Trout and Garret Richards are now with the big club, and Jean Segura and Johnny Hellweg were traded to Milwaukee. This system is in poor shape heading into the 2013 season — Kaleb Cowart represents the only high-impact talent, and the farm is not deep with upside guys. Frankly, there’s very little here to get excited about in terms of fantasy baseball, but I suppose what LA produced last year from its system will quench our fantasy thirsts for another year or two. Barring ineptitude from the third base slot or injury to a regular, I don’t see much opportunity for prospect turnover in 2013.